Mrs. Kir and myself will be starting our ex-JNB RTW next month, thanks to all of the great advice received from fellow FT'ers. And yes, we will actually be stopping at a number of destinations along the way! The current routing is:

JNB-HKG-DPS-HKG-SFO-MIA-GCM-MIA-DFW-ANC-DFW-LHR-TLV-BCN-HEL-LHR-JNB

issued by AA as a DONE4 at the OLD ex-JNB fare. Yes, I know there are plenty of options to increase the mileage and that is why I am writing with what I hope are couple of easily answered questions.

First, it would appear that any routing changes need to be made AFTER departure from JNB, otherwise the re-issued ticket will be re-priced at the NEW ex-JNB fare, at least according to the AA RTW desk. However, in order to gain an additional segment in NA, there is now the option to take the AA154 direct service NRT-MIA, which means that I will not have the luxury of CX trans-pacific service. This may be offset somewhat by the possibility of using AA miles to upgrade from D to F class. So that is my major dilemma at the moment, no CX to NA and go with AA and try to upgrade with miles from D to F (Pacific coffin service notwithstanding!).

The other consideration is that AA RTW desk has advised me that I can take my ticket to CX (after departure from JNB) and they will re-issue the ticket based on itinerary changes made with AA. This is something that I had not heard of before. So the question is whether CX can in fact re-issue an AA RTW ticket, which would then allow us to make our way from HKG to NRT and beyond. This would be done in HKG on the way back from DPS.

Anyone willing to take stab at this be my guest! All replies most welcome.